AMES, Ia. — Iowa State's first fall practice is on Friday, and there's still a lot left for the Cyclones to figure out.

Competitions are still playing out on the offensive line, at linebacker and even placekicker.

Iowa State coach Matt Campbell addressed those spots and talked about the high hopes of a pair of junior college transfers during a news conference Wednesday previewing fall camp.

Campbell talked about the uncertainty at one position and even shed some light on one of the battles he called "the biggest" this fall. And guess what? The answer may surprise you.

Uncertainty on the offensive line

The storyline: One of the most interesting groups for the Cyclones. Campbell loves the talent he has around it and the depth he’s building. But there are still a lot of question marks, with at least two starting spots up for grabs. The three listed starters, for now: Bryce Meeker at right tackle, Josh Knipfel at right guard and Sean Foster at left tackle. After that, its' a little murkier. Julian Good-Jones or Colin Newell are possible starters at center. Then it’s either Josh Mueller or Will Windham at left guard. Good-Jones, a starter the last two seasons with a ton of versatility, will likely start somewhere. Where he ends up could have a big impact on the rest of the spots.

Campbell says: “One of the things for me that I am excited about is that there are more names and more guys that deserve to be mentioned in those spots. The five starters now, who are they? I couldn’t tell you right now. It’s going to unfold itself in the next three weeks.”

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Former Cedar Rapids Washington star O'Rien Vance is making a case for a starting spot with Iowa State.(Photo: Register photo)

The last starting linebacker spot

The storyline: Iowa State has two of its three starting linebacker spots settled, with Marcel Spears Jr. and Willie Harvey returning. The third was thought to have been settled, with redshirt freshman phenom O’Rien Vance was listed as the new starter at middle linebacker in Iowa State’s depth chart released at Big 12 media days. But that may not be the case quite yet. Campbell said that Vance and Reggan Northrup are in “hot competition” for the starting spot.

Campbell: “We’ll play who I trust. That aspect of it becomes earning that over the next couple of weeks and through what they’ve done the last six months. Those two guys have stuck out. That’s what having competition now in your football program (brings). It brings the best out of everybody, especially at Mike linebacker. That guy has to not only be a consistent performer, but that guy’s got to be a consistent leader on that football field."

Finding a punt returner

The storyline: One of the most glaring holes on Iowa State’s depth chart The Cyclones don't even list one right now. Kick returner is settled with Kene Nwangwu listed as a starter. But with Trever Ryen and Allen Lazard now gone, the Cyclones need to find a new punt returner.

Campbell says: “There’s a lot of guys that have done it. (D’Andre) Payne has done that before for us. He’s done that for us in games when Trever was banged up late last season — he went back there and did that a little bit. Brian Peavy has certainly been campaigning for the entire summer to be the punt returner, so we’ll kind of see what we do with that. Deshaunte (Jones) certainly has the ability to do some of that. Some of these freshmen have been great punt returners in high school. That’s going to be an open competition, and that’ll be something that will really play itself out there (in camp).”

Time for two transfers to live up to high hopes

The storyline: Matt Leo and Kamilo Tongamoa were highly touted coming to Iowa State last season. Leo, a junior college defensive end with a limited amount of experience playing football, was believed to have had a ton of upside. Tongamoa, a defensive lineman, was once one of the best junior college players in the nation, listed as the fourth-best JUCO defensive tackle by 247Sports. But Leo played in just three games and received a medical redshirt last year. Tongamoa, who arrived right before the season started, played in just four games.

Campbell says: “I’m really optimistic about Matt. I think that’s a really good, interesting race— him and Enyi (Uwazurike) at the field defensive end spot. Those are two guys that have very similar traits and similar opportunity. Kamilo, what’s intriguing, he’s in the best shape of his life. He’s lost 25 pounds since he’s been here and now he’s a full year in our training facility and training program. He gives us position flexibility. Kamilo is athletic enough that he can go outside at times, and he can line up at defensive end, yet he’s also skilled enough and powerful enough that he can come inside and play that three-technique or if we’re in a four-man front, that four-eye. Both those guys, we’re counting on."

Iowa State kicker Brayden Narveson is already competing for the starting spot.(Photo: Iowa State Athletics)

The 'biggest battle' in Campbell's eyes

The storyline: Special teams play was instrumental in the Cyclones' success last season. Iowa State put a large emphasis on field position and small things such as field goal kicking. That's why it's imperative the Cyclones find a replacement for last season's placekicker, Garrett Owens. It’s come down to Brayden Narveson, a true freshman, and Chris Francis, a redshirt senior who had previously been handling kickoffs.

Campbell says: “If you really look at Chris’ entire career, the improvement he’s made, it’s been really impressive — probably the best kickoff guy in the conference a year ago and had a great leg. Now, can he harness and be the consistency you want from your placekicker? Then, your young guy, can he handle being a freshman and being thrust into that situation? I think that’s a really unique — to be honest with you, it’s probably one of the biggest battles I see going on into fall camp.”